Fertility · Injection guide
Luveris® (lutropin alfa)
The LH half of the pair. Luveris® is prescribed alongside Gonal-F® for women whose own LH and FSH are severely low, because follicles need both hormones to mature. It comes as a powder to reconstitute — here is how.
Quick facts
Always follow your clinic's instructions for dose and timing.
What it is
What is Luveris®?
Luveris® (lutropin alfa) is a laboratory-made form of luteinising hormone. It is prescribed for women with severe LH and FSH deficiency, to help ovarian follicles develop and mature as part of IVF and other assisted reproduction.
In a natural cycle, FSH and LH work as a pair to regulate follicle growth and ovulation. When the pituitary gland does not release enough of them, follicles cannot mature properly. Luveris® restores the LH side of that balance: it supports follicular maturation and estrogen production, and prepares the follicles for ovulation when it is used alongside FSH.
That is why it is almost always prescribed together with Gonal-F® (follitropin alfa) rather than on its own — you need both hormones for normal follicular growth. Each vial contains 75 IU of lutropin alfa as a white powder, which you reconstitute with sterile water before injecting.
Normally
- FSH and LH together
- Follicles grow and mature
- Ovulation
On Luveris®
- Severe LH and FSH deficiency
- Gonal-F® supplies the FSH
- Luveris® supplies the LH
- Follicles can mature again
Before you begin
Everything you need, on a clean surface
Storage: follow the storage instructions supplied with your vials, keeping them in the original packaging and away from light. Reconstitute a vial when you are ready to inject rather than in advance, and do not use a solution that is cloudy or contains particles.
How to inject Luveris®, step by step
Six steps. Two needles: a long one for mixing, a short fine-bore one for the injection itself.
- 1
Prep
Before you begin
Wash your hands thoroughly and set up a clean workspace. Lay out both vials, the syringe, both needles, your alcohol wipes and the sharps container before you start.
Pharmacist tip: Do not inject yourself until your healthcare provider or nurse has shown you the technique in person.
- 2
Prep
Prepare the vials
Remove the protective caps from both vials. Clean each rubber stopper with an alcohol wipe and let it dry completely. Once cleaned, do not touch the stoppers — that is what keeps them sterile.
- 3
Mix
Mix the solution
Attach the long mixing needle to the syringe and draw up 1 mL of the sterile water. Inject it slowly into the Luveris® powder vial through the rubber stopper, then swirl gently until the powder has dissolved completely. The solution should be clear and colourless.
Pharmacist tip: Swirl, never shake. If the solution looks cloudy or has particles in it, do not use it.
- 4
Mix
Prepare the syringe
Draw the entire contents of the reconstituted vial back into the syringe. Remove the mixing needle and replace it with the short fine-bore injection needle. Hold the syringe upright, flick it gently so air bubbles rise, and press the plunger until a small droplet appears at the needle tip.
- 5
Inject
Give the injection
Choose a site on your lower abdomen or upper thigh, clean it with an alcohol wipe, and let it dry. Pinch the skin to create a small fold and insert the needle at a 90° angle with a quick, dart-like motion. Inject slowly and steadily, then withdraw the needle straight out and apply gentle pressure with gauze if needed.
- 6
After
After the injection
Discard the needle, syringe and vials in an approved sharps container. Never reuse a needle and never recap one before discarding. Rotate to a different injection site each day to prevent irritation.
What to expect
Side effects to know about
Common, usually mild
- Mild abdominal discomfort
- Headache
- Nausea
- Redness at the injection site
Rare, but serious
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) — contact your doctor if you have severe abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting or rapid weight gain
- Multiple pregnancy is a recognised risk of ovarian stimulation
Common questions
Luveris® FAQ
Something not covered here? Call (905) 235 8820 and a pharmacist will walk you through it.
What is Luveris® used for?
It stimulates follicular development in women with severe LH and FSH deficiency, usually in combination with Gonal-F® during IVF treatment.
Can I mix Luveris® and Gonal-F® in the same syringe?
Your doctor may instruct you to, since the two are compatible when used together, and it means one injection instead of two. Only do it on their instruction, and follow the order and volumes they give you.
Can I inject it myself?
Yes, once your healthcare provider has demonstrated the correct technique. After that you can give your daily dose at home. Call us if you want to talk any step through before your first one.
What if I miss a dose?
Do not double up. Contact your fertility specialist immediately for instructions on how to continue.
Why do I need LH as well as FSH?
The two hormones do different jobs and the cycle needs both. FSH drives follicle growth; LH supports maturation and estrogen production. If your body produces too little of both, replacing only one will not restore normal follicular development.
Where this comes from
Checked against the official record
Every clinical statement on this page was checked against the sources below, then reviewed by our pharmacist. If something here does not match what your clinic told you, follow your clinic and call us.
Other guides
The rest of your protocol, explained
Stimulation · FSH
Gonal-F
Read the guide →Stimulation · FSH + LH
Menopur
Read the guide →Stimulation · FSH
Rekovelle
Read the guide →Stimulation · FSH + LH
Pergoveris
Read the guide →Antagonist
Cetrotide
Read the guide →Antagonist
Orgalutran
Read the guide →Trigger shot
Ovidrel
Read the guide →Trigger shot
Pregnyl (hCG)
Read the guide →Luveris® in your protocol?
We dispense it the same day your clinic sends the prescription, deliver across the GTA, and counsel you through your first injection.